“I was probably a bit hard on myself right then, coming in as well. I think if I had just relaxed a little bit more, I could have done something a bit better."

Graeme McDowell admits he has sometimes needed to spend time in a padded room after failing to get to grips with the challenges posed by Augusta National.

There is a strong possibility Royal Portrush will be awarded the 2019 British Open — 68 years after being the only club outside Scotland and England to host golf’s oldest Major.